Cargo handling apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a cargo handling apparatus includes a first mechanism, a second mechanism, a holding unit, a third mechanism, a fourth mechanism and a conveyor. The first mechanism is movable in a first direction. The second mechanism is connected to the first mechanism and is movable on a first horizontal plane intersecting the first direction. The holding unit is connected to the second mechanism and holds an object to be picked up. The third mechanism is arranged below the first mechanism, the second mechanism and the holding unit, and is movable in the first direction. The fourth mechanism is connected to the third mechanism and is movable on a second horizontal plane opposed to the first horizontal plane. The conveyor is connected to the fourth mechanism, and loads and conveys the object held by the holding unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/725,395, filed May 29,2015, which claims the benefit of priority from Japanese PatentApplication No. 2014-111729, filed May 29, 2014, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a cargo handlingapparatus and method.

BACKGROUND

Due to the globalization of supply chains and the aging of the workingpopulation, there has been a trend of shortages in the labor force forhandling the increased volume of physical distribution. Therefore,Cartesian robots and articulated-arm robots have been popularized toachieve high-speed and effective cargo handling operations, such aspicking of goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a cargo handling apparatus according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an initial state in cargo handling processing.

FIG. 3 illustrates a state of holding an object in cargo handlingprocessing.

FIG. 4 illustrates a state of loading the object in cargo handlingprocessing.

FIG. 5 illustrates a state of retracting a moving mechanism in cargohandling processing.

FIG. 6 illustrates a state where a conveyor is placed at a positionalongside a bench in cargo handling processing.

FIG. 7 illustrates a state of loading the object in cargo handlingprocessing.

FIG. 8 illustrates an initial state when an object is loaded on anintermediate shelf.

FIG. 9 illustrates a state of holding the object when the object isloaded on the intermediate shelf.

FIG. 10 illustrates a state of loading the object when the object isloaded on the intermediate shelf.

FIG. 11 illustrates a state where a conveyor is placed at a positionalongside a bench when the object is loaded on the intermediate shelf.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a cargo handling apparatus according tothe second embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of location information generationprocessing in a shape detector 1202.

FIG. 14A is a flowchart showing an operation of a cargo handlingapparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a flowchart showing an operation of a cargo handlingapparatus according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is a tendency toward the aforementioned cartesian coordinaterobots and articulated-arm robots becoming larger. For example,cartesian coordinate robots that hold a product from the top needvertically long arms. Such robots cannot be used in a vertically limitedspace, such as a place with a low ceiling. To avoid known obstacles, itis necessary to provide a redundant number of articulations toarticulated-arm robots that hold a product from the top.

In addition, when products are loaded in a cubic space which has anintermediate shelf, an additional number of redundant articulations needto be applied to pick up a product from the intermediate shelf, leadingto a problem of increasing the size of robots.

In general, according to one embodiment, a cargo handling apparatusincludes a first movement mechanism, a second movement mechanism, aholding unit, a third movement mechanism, a fourth movement mechanismand a conveyor. The first movement mechanism is movable in a firstdirection. The second movement mechanism is connected to the firstmovement mechanism and is movable on a first horizontal planeintersecting the first direction. The holding unit is connected to thesecond movement mechanism and holds an object to be picked up. The thirdmovement mechanism is arranged below the first movement mechanism, thesecond movement mechanism and the holding unit, and is movable in thefirst direction. The fourth movement mechanism is connected to the thirdmovement mechanism and is movable on a second horizontal plane opposedto the first horizontal plane. The conveyor is connected to the fourthmovement mechanism, and loads and conveys the object held by the holdingunit.

In the following, the cargo handling apparatus and method according tothe present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings. In the embodiment described below, elements specified by thesame reference numbers carry out the same operations, and a duplicatedescription of such elements will be omitted.

(First Embodiment)

The cargo handling apparatus according to the first embodiment will beexplained with reference to FIG. 1.

A cargo handling apparatus 100 according to the first embodimentincludes a first vertical member 101, a second vertical member 102, athird vertical member 103, a fourth vertical member 104, a fifthvertical member 105, a sixth vertical member 106, a first horizontalmember 107, a second horizontal member 108, a third horizontal member109, a fourth horizontal member 110, a first vertical movement mechanism111, a horizontal movement mechanism 112, a first depth-directionmovement mechanism 113, a holding unit moving mechanism 114, a holdingunit 115, a second vertical movement mechanism 116, a seconddepth-direction movement mechanism 117, and a conveyor 118.

The first vertical movement mechanism 111 is also referred to as a firstmovement mechanism, and a combination of the horizontal movementmechanism 112 and the first depth-direction movement mechanism 113 isreferred to as a second movement mechanism. The second vertical movementmechanism 116 is also referred to as a third movement mechanism, and thesecond depth-direction movement mechanism 117 is also referred to as aforth movement mechanism.

The first vertical member 101, the second vertical member 102, the thirdvertical member 103, the fourth vertical member 104, the fifth verticalmember 105, the sixth vertical member 106, the first horizontal member107, the second horizontal member 108, the third horizontal member 109,and the fourth horizontal member 110 are supporting members which form aframework of the cargo handling apparatus 100, and together they arealso referred to as a base.

The base according to the present embodiment is formed in the followingmanner. The first vertical member 101, the third vertical member 103,and the fifth vertical member 105 stand in such a manner that one end ofeach member is grounded, and another end of each member is coupled tothe first horizontal member 107. The second vertical member 102, thefourth vertical member 104, and the sixth vertical member 106 stand insuch a manner that one end of each member is grounded, and another endof each member is coupled to the second horizontal member 108. The thirdhorizontal member 109 is horizontally coupled to the first horizontalmember 107 and the second horizontal member 108 in such a manner thatone end is coupled in the vicinity of a position where the thirdvertical member 103 is coupled, and another end is coupled in thevicinity of a position where the fourth vertical member 104 iscoupled.The fourth horizontal member 110 is horizontally coupled to thefirst horizontal member 107 and the second horizontal member 108 in sucha manner that one end is coupled in the vicinity of a position where thefifth vertical member 105 is coupled, and another end is coupled in thevicinity of a position where the sixth vertical member 106 is coupled.

The base is not limited to the aforementioned shape, but may be formedso as to support the first vertical movement mechanism 111, thehorizontal movement mechanism 112, the first depth-direction movementmechanism 113, the holding unit moving mechanism 114, the holding unit115, the second vertical movement mechanism 116, the seconddepth-direction movement mechanism 117, and the conveyor 118.

The first vertical movement mechanism 111 is connected to the thirdvertical member 103, fourth vertical member 104, fifth vertical member105, and sixth vertical member 106 of the base so as to be movable inthe vertical direction (Y axis direction). For example, guide rails areattached along the third vertical member 103, fourth vertical member104, fifth vertical member 105, and sixth vertical member 106 of thebase in the vertical direction so that the first vertical movementmechanism 111 vertically moves along the guide rails.

The horizontal movement mechanism 112 is connected to the first verticalmovement mechanism 111 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction(X axis direction). For example, a guide rail is attached along thefirst vertical movement mechanism 111 in the horizontal direction sothat the horizontal movement mechanism 112 horizontally moves along theguide rail.

The first depth-direction movement mechanism 113 is connected to thehorizontal movement mechanism 112 so as to be movable in the depthdirection (Z axis direction). For example, a guide rail is attachedalong the horizontal movement mechanism 112 in the depth direction sothat the first depth-direction movement mechanism 113 moves along theguide rail in the depth direction.

The holding unit moving mechanism 114 is connected to the firstdepth-direction movement mechanism 113 so as to be movable in the depthdirection. For example, a guide rail is attached along the bottom of thefirst depth-direction movement mechanism 113 in the depth direction sothat the holding unit 115 moves along the depth-direction movementmechanism 113 in the depth direction. In this embodiment, the holdingunit 115 is movable between both ends of the first depth-directionmovement mechanism 113, and accordingly, the moving range of the holdingunit 115 is greater than that of the first depth-direction movementmechanism 113 within the base.

The holding unit 115 is connected to the first depth-direction movementmechanism 113, and holds a product to be picked up (hereinafter referredto as an object). The holding unit 115 may be set as rotatable so as todeal with various kinds of objects. The holding unit 115 includes asuction power source such as a compressor, and a controllable open valvethat can be opened and closed, such as an electromagnetic valve. Theholding unit 115 uses at least one suction pad to hold an object bysuction and to release the object by stopping the suction through theopen valve. A plurality of holding units 115 may be used to obtain adesired carrying force. It is desirable to use a pad formed of anelastic material having a bellows shape, or supported by a spring toadjust the distance between the object and the holding unit 115 whenthey are in contact with each other. The holding unit 115 may be formedin such a manner as to hold an object from both sides, instead ofapplying a suction pad. The configuration of the holding unit 115 mayvary if the function of moving an object is achieved.

The second vertical movement mechanism 116 is placed below the firstvertical movement mechanism 111 and is connected to the third verticalmember 103, fourth vertical member 104, fifth vertical member 105, andsixth vertical member 106 of the base so as to be movable in thevertical direction. The second vertical movement mechanism 116vertically moves along the guide rails of the base in a similar mannerto the first vertical movement mechanism 111.

The second depth-direction movement mechanism 117 is connected to thesecond vertical movement mechanism 116 so as to be movable in the depthdirection. For example, a guide rail is attached along the secondvertical movement mechanism 116 in the depth direction so that thesecond depth-direction movement mechanism 117 moves along the secondvertical movement mechanism 116 in the depth direction.

The conveyor 118 is a conveyor such as a belt conveyor or a rollerconveyor which is connected to the second depth-direction movementmechanism 117. The conveyor 118 carries an object loaded thereon byrotating rollers with a rotation force applied to a motor.

The pick-up process of the cargo handling apparatus 100 according to thefirst embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

It is assumed that boxes loaded in a loading box 201 are picked up asobjects 202 and 203, and the objects 202 and 203 are moved to a bench205. FIGS. 2 to 7 illustrate a case where the object 202 is picked up.

The loading box 201 is a shelf with a lattice/grid type of enclosure andhas wheels at the bottom. The loading box 201 can move with the productsbeing loaded. In this embodiment, the loading box 201 can be securedwithin the base. The loading box 201 is secured by the base when apick-up operation is performed. The loading box 201 is not limited tobeing secured within the base, but may be secured adjacent to the cargohandling apparatus 100.

The bench 205 is a destination of an object carried from the loading box201, and may be a static bench to temporarily keep the object, or may bea movable bench to carry the object to another location by means of abelt conveyor. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a movable bench isused, and an object carried to the bench 205 from the loading box 201 issequentially carried to another location.

In addition, it is assumed that the position of objects to be loadedwithin the loading box 201 and the order of picking up the objects arepredetermined, and a controller (not shown in the drawings) controls theholding unit 115 to hold the object and controls each movement mechanismof the cargo handling apparatus 100 to move by a predetermined distanceto the position where the objects can be loaded to the conveyor 118.Methods to control the movement mechanism include an open-loop controlmethod which allows each movement mechanism to move by rotating a stepmotor a predetermined amount based on a designated pulse, or aclose-loop control method which allows each movement mechanism to moveto a designated location by minimizing an error between a target valueand a value measured by a location sensor.

FIG. 2 illustrates an initial state before proceeding with the cargohandling processing. The loading box 201 is placed in the cargo handlingapparatus 100. The cargo handling apparatus 100 is arranged close to thebench 205, which is a destination of an object from the conveyor 118, sothat the object is carried from the conveyor 118 to the bench 205.

FIG. 3 illustrates a state where the cargo handling apparatus 100 holdsthe object 202. The first vertical movement mechanism 111 moves down(the negative direction of the Y axis) to the position which allows theholding unit 115 to hold the object 202. It is assumed that the secondvertical movement mechanism 116 is initially placed at a height wherethe object 202 can be loaded on the conveyor 118. If the conveyor 118 isplaced at a position where the object 202 cannot be loaded, the secondvertical movement mechanism 116 vertically moves to the position flushwith the bottom of the object 202 so that the object 202 can be loadedon the conveyor 118.

The first vertical movement mechanism 113 moves in the depth direction(the negative direction of the Z axis) to the position allowing theholding unit 115 to hold the object 202 by applying suction to theobject 202. The holding unit 115 holds the object 202 by suction at thefront surface and the top surface. The horizontal movement mechanism 112may move in the horizontal direction (the X axis direction) inaccordance with the position of the object 202. Similar to the firstdepth-direction movement mechanism 113, the second depth-directionmovement mechanism 117 moves in the depth direction (the negativedirection of the Z axis) to the front surface of the object 202. Theedge of the conveyor 118 may be placed near the bottom of the frontsurface of the object 202. It is acceptable that the edge is placedslightly higher than the bottom, but it is desirable that the edge isplaced below he bottom of the object 202. Accordingly, the object 202 issecurely loaded on the conveyor 118.

FIG. 4 illustrates a state where the object 202 is loaded on theconveyor 118. The second depth-direction movement mechanism 117 moves inthe positive direction of the z axis while the holding unit 115 holdsthe object 202. The conveyor 118, which is a belt conveyor, moves in theZ axis direction so that a carrier force is applied to the top andbottom surfaces of the object 202 by sandwiching the object 202 betweenthe holding unit 115 and the conveyor 118. This allows the object 202 tobe easily loaded onto the conveyor 118. t is desirable that the movingspeed of the second depth-direction movement mechanism 117 is equal tothe moving speed of the conveyor 118 to prevent the object 202 fromfalling.

When the object 202 reaches a predetermined position of the conveyor118, the movement of the second depth-direction movement mechanism 117and the conveyor 118 is stopped. By the above process, loading of theobject 202 to the conveyor 118 is completed. If the object 202 islightweight, the motor is not energized so as to allow the conveyor 118to be idled. In this state, the object 202 moves on the conveyor 118while being held by the holding unit 115 to the predetermined position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a state where the holding unit 115 is retracted so asto not obstruct the movement of the object 202.

The holding unit 115 releases the object 202 by stopping suction, andthe first vertical movement mechanism 111 moves upward to separate fromthe object 202. The amount of movement of the first vertical movementmechanism 111 may be determined so that the first vertical movementmechanism 111, the horizontal movement mechanism 112, the firstdepth-direction movement mechanism 113, the holding unit movingmechanism 114, and the holding unit 115 do not collide with each otherwhen the conveyor carries the object.

FIG. 6 illustrates a state where the conveyor 118 is placed alongsidethe bench 205.

The second depth-direction movement mechanism 117 moves toward the bench205, the second vertical movement mechanism 116 vertically moves to aposition where the edge of the conveyor 118 facing the bench 205 isadjacent to the bench 205, and the object 202 is carried withoutincurring shock to the bench 205. Specifically, the second verticalmovement mechanism 116 moves to the position where the edge of theconveyor 118 is slightly higher than the edge of the bench 205. When thesecond depth-direction movement mechanism 117 is moving, the conveyor118 may be stopped so that the object 202 is stationary, or may bemoving at a speed so that the object 202 does not fall.

FIG. 7 illustrates a state where the object 202 is being carried ontothe bench 205 from the conveyor 118. The conveyor 118 moves so that theobject is carried onto the bench 205 by rotating the conveyor. The speedof conveyor 118 is controlled, taking the moving speed of bench 205 intoconsideration so that the object 202 does not fall when entering thebench 205. The cargo handling processing of the cargo handling apparatus100 is completed by the above operation.

Another example of the pick-up process of the cargo handling apparatus100 according to the first embodiment will be explained with referenceto FIGS. 8 to 11.

It is assumed that the loading box 201 loads a great number of objects.When a great number of objects are loaded, a load is applied to objectsplaced at lower positions. Due to the applied load, objects may bedeformed or damaged. To avoid this, there may be a case where anintermediate shelf is provided to the loading box to disperse objects,and objects are loaded on the intermediate shelf. FIGS. 8 to 11 show thecase where an intermediate shelf 801 is provided to the loading box 201,and an object 802 is picked up from the intermediate shelf. FIG. 8illustrates an initial state when an object is to be picked up from theintermediate shelf 801. The first vertical movement mechanism 111 movesup (the positive direction of the Y axis) to the position allowing theholding unit 115 to hold the object 802 placed on the intermediate shelf801. When the first vertical movement mechanism 111 moves up, the firstdepth-direction movement mechanism 113 and the holding unit 115 moves tothe outside of the loading box 201 so as to not strike the intermediateshelf. Specifically, the first depth-direction movement mechanism 113and the holding unit 115 move in the positive direction of the Z axis.Then, the first vertical movement mechanism 111 moves up.

Similarly, the second depth-direction movement mechanism 117 and theconveyor 118 move in the positive direction of the Z axis so as to notstrike the intermediate shelf 801, and then the second vertical movementmechanism 116 moves to the position close to the upper surface of theintermediate shelf 801. Specifically, the second vertical movementmechanism 116 moves to the position where the edge of the intermediateshelf 801 is flush with the edge of the conveyor 118, or the edge of theconveyor 118 is lower than the edge of the intermediate shelf 801.

FIG. 9 illustrates a state where the object 802 is picked up from theintermediate shelf 801. The first depth-direction movement mechanism 113moves toward the object 802 placed on the intermediate shelf 801. Then,the holding unit 115 suctions and holds the object 802.

FIG. 10 illustrates a state where the object 802 is loaded onto theconveyor 118. The holding unit 115 moves in the positive direction ofthe Z axis while holding the object 802. The operation of the holdingunit 115 and the conveyor 118 is similar to that explained withreference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 illustrates a state where the conveyor 118 is placed alongsidethe bench 205. The second vertical movement mechanism 116 moves down sothat the edge of the bench 205 is flush with the edge of the conveyor118. Since the holding unit 115 does not interfere when the object 802is moved to the bench 205, the holding unit 115 does not have to beretracted. The operation of carrying the object 802 from the conveyor118 to the bench 205 is similar to that shown in FIG. 7, and theexplanation thereof will be omitted. The operation of picking up theobject 802 loaded on the intermediate shelf 801 is completed by theabove.

According to the first embodiment, an object is picked up from theloading box by the holding unit and by the conveyor that move in thevertical or depth direction within the base. This implements a cargohandling apparatus having substantially the same size as the range ofmotion of the holding unit and the conveyor, and accomplishes downsizingof the apparatus. In addition, the holding unit and the conveyor, bybeing able to move independently in the vertical or depth direction,enables the application of the apparatus to the existing carrying beltconveyor and the existing loading box having an intermediate shelf.Furthermore, the holding unit and the conveyor operate cooperatively.

Specifically, when picking up the object, the conveyor moves close tothe holding unit to shorten the time that the holding unit itselfsupports the object, and the conveyor moves to the height of the benchwhich is the destination of the object to smoothly move the object tothe bench. Accordingly, the apparatus according to the first embodimentpicks up or carries an object stably even for dealing with heavy objectsor objects at a higher location.

(Second Embodiment)

In the first embodiment, the location of objects to be loaded within aloading box or the like, the number of objects, and the order of pickingup the objects are predetermined, and the objects can be picked up bycontrolling a predetermined driving power and the order. The secondembodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an imagesensor detects the position of objects to be loaded. The function ofdetecting the position of objects achieves the application of the cargohandling apparatus for any arrangement of objects, and increasesversatility.

The cargo handling apparatus according to the second embodiment will beexplained with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 12.

A cargo handling apparatus 1200 according to the second embodimentincludes the first vertical movement mechanism 111, the horizontalmovement mechanism 112, the first depth-direction movement mechanism113, the holding unit moving mechanism 114, the holding unit 115, thesecond vertical movement mechanism 116, the second depth-directionmovement mechanism 117, the conveyor 118, an image sensor 1201, a shapedetector 1202, and a controller 1203.

The image sensor 1201 is a stereo camera sensor or a distant imagesensor such as a laser range finder which can obtain three-dimensionalpositional information, and the image sensor 1201 captures an image or amovie of an object and generates image data.

The shape detector 1202 receives the image data from the image sensor1201, and detects an upper position and a lower position of the objectbased on the image data. The shape detector 1202 generates positionalinformation. including the upper position and the lower position of theobject, the distance to the upper position from a predetermined point,and the distance to the lower position from the predetermined point inthe depth direction.

The controller 1203 receives the positional information from the shapedetector 1202, drives the first vertical movement mechanism 111, thehorizontal movement mechanism 112, and the first depth-directionmovement mechanism 113 so that the holding unit 115 moves toward theupper position, and drives the second vertical movement mechanism 116and the second depth-direction movement mechanism 117 so that theconveyor 118 moves toward the lower position, based on the positionalinformation.

To control the driving operation, the controller 1203 generates adriving signal indicating the driving amount for each of the firstvertical movement mechanism 111, the horizontal movement mechanism 112,the first depth-direction movement mechanism 113, the holding unitmoving mechanism 114, the second vertical movement mechanism 116, andthe second depth-direction movement mechanism 117. In addition, thecontroller 1203 generates a holding control signal to control theholding operation of the holding unit 115, and a convey control signalto control the carrying operation of the conveyor 118,

The first vertical movement mechanism 111, the horizontal movementmechanism 112, the first depth-direction movement mechanism 113, theholding unit moving mechanism 114, the second vertical movementmechanism 116, and the second depth-direction movement mechanism 117each receive a driving signal from the controller 1203 to be driven withthe driving amount indicated by the driving signal.

The holding unit 115 receives a holding control signal from, thecontroller 1203 to start or stop the holding operation based on theholding control signal.

The conveyor 116 receives a convey control signal from the controller1203 to start or stop rotation of the conveyor, or to adjust the speedof rotation based on the convey control signal.

The shape of the cargo handling apparatus 1200 according to the secondembodiment is similar to the cargo handling apparatus 100 according tothe first embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. Theimage sensor 1201 may be fixed at a position where an image of an objectin the loading box can be captured. The shape detector 1202 and thecontroller 1203 may be arranged as a control board on the base, orarranged remotely from the cargo handling apparatus 1200. When remotelyarranged, image data is received via a wire or wirelessly from the cargohandling apparatus 1200, and a holding control signal and a conveycontrol signal are sent back to the cargo handling apparatus 1200.

An example of positional information generation in the shape detector1202 will be explained with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 illustrates image data acquired from the image sensor. The imageis captured from the opened side of the loading box 201 in which twoboxes are loaded. A relationship of each of coordinate axes is the sameas those shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 13, the bottom of the loading box 201is set as the base line.

The shape detector 1202 performs image recognition of the image data,and extracts three-dimensional positional information or RGB imageinformation to recognize the shape of an object. In the example shown inFIG. 13, two rectangles 1301 and 1302 are recognized, and a rectanglehaving the maximum value in the vertical direction (Y axis direction)and the minimum value in the depth direction (Z axis direction) is setas an object.

That is, a box placed closest to the holding unit and at the top ispicked up first. In this example, the rectangle 1301 is set as anobject. The shape detector 1202 obtains an upper position 1303 of theobject, and computes coordinates of the upper position 1303 and thedistance from the predetermined point to the upper position 1303. Theshape detector 1202 also obtains a lower position 1304 of the object,and computes coordinates of the lower position 1304 and the distancefrom the predetermined point to the lower position 1304.

The shape detector 1202 accordingly obtains data regarding thecoordinates of the upper position 1303, the distance of the upperposition 1303, the coordinates of the lower position 1304, and thedistance of the lower position 1304 as positional information. Thecoordinates of the upper position 1303 include coordinates (at least a Yaxis component) at the highest position of the object in the verticaldirection (Y axis direction). The coordinates of the lower position 1304include coordinates (at least a Y axis component) at the lowest positionof the object in the vertical direction (Y axis direction). For arectangular object, the coordinates of the top surface of rectangle 1301may be the coordinates of the upper position 1303, and the bottomsurface of rectangle 1301 may be the coordinates of the lower position1304

The pick-up process of the cargo handling apparatus 1200 according tothe second embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchartsof FIGS. 14A to 14B.

In step S1401, the image sensor 1201 captures an image inside of theloading box and obtains image data.

In step S1402, the shape detector 1202 performs image recognition of theimage data to detect the shape and determine an object.

In step S1403, the shape detector 1202 computes the upper position andthe lower position of the object for which the shape is recognized. Thesecond embodiment assumes the case where a box is an object to be pickedup. The upper position and the lower position are computed for theobject placed at the highest position in the vertical direction and atthe foremost position in the depth direction.

In step S1404, the controller 1203 determines whether the object isplaced at a position higher than the intermediate shelf. Thisdetermination may be made by comparing the upper position and the lowerposition computed in the step S1403 with a predetermined position of theintermediate shelf. The determination may also be made by analyzing theposition of the intermediate shelf from the image data if possible.

In such a case, the shape detector 1202 or the controller 1203 maydetermine whether or not the object is placed higher than theintermediate shelf based on the image data. If the object is placedhigher than the intermediate shelf, step S1413 is executed, and if theobject is placed lower than the intermediate shelf, step S1405 isexecuted.

In step S1405, the first vertical movement mechanism 111, the horizontalmovement mechanism 112, the first depth-direction movement mechanism113, and the holding unit moving mechanism 114 move the holding unit 115to the upper position of the object in response to the driving signalreceived from the controller 1203 indicating the driving amount formoving to the upper position.

In step S1406, the second vertical movement mechanism 116, and thesecond depth-direction movement mechanism 117 move the conveyor 118 tothe lower position of the object in response to the driving signalreceived from the controller 1203 indicating the driving amount formoving to the lower position.

In step S1407, the holding unit 115 holds the object in response to theholding control signal received from the controller 1203 indicating theinitiation of suction.

In step S1408, the horizontal movement mechanism 112, the firstdepth-direction movement mechanism 113, the holding unit movingmechanism 114, the holding unit 115, and the conveyor 118 cooperativelywork in response to the driving signals, holding control signals, andconvey control signals so that the object is moved to a predeterminedposition of the conveyor 118 and loaded on the conveyor 118.

In step S1409, after the object is loaded at the predetermined positionof the conveyor 118, the holding unit 115 releases the object inresponse to the holding control signal received from the controller 1203indicating the stoppage of suction.

In step S1410, the first vertical movement mechanism 111 retracts inresponse to a driving signal from the controller 1203 so as to notinterfere with movement of the object.

In step S1411, the second vertical movement mechanism 116 and the seconddepth-direction movement mechanism 117 move the conveyor 118 to aposition where the object can be carried to the bench in response to adriving signal received from the controller 1203.

In step S1412, the conveyor 118 conveys the object to the bench inresponse to a convey control signal received from the controller 1203.The object is carried to the bench by rotating the conveyor. Thismaintains stability of the object.

In step S1413, the first depth-direction movement mechanism 113 retractsin response to a driving signal from the controller 1203.

In step S1414, the second depth-direction movement mechanism 117retracts in response to a driving signal from the controller 1203.

In step S1415, the first vertical movement mechanism 111 moves to theuppermost position of the base in response to a driving signal from thecontroller 1203.

In step S1416, the second vertical movement mechanism 116 moves theconveyor 118 to the lower position of the object placed on theintermediate shelf, or to the edge of the intermediate shelf if only oneobject is placed on the intermediate shelf, in response to a drivingsignal from the controller 1203.

In step S1417, the first vertical movement mechanism 111, the horizontalmovement mechanism 112, the first depth-direction movement mechanism 113and the holding unit moving mechanism 114 move the holding unit 115 tothe upper position of the object in response to the driving signalreceived from the controller 1203 indicating the driving amount formoving to the upper position.

In step S1418, the holding unit 115 holds the object in response to theholding control signal received from the controller 1203 indicating theinitiating of suction.

In step S1419, the horizontal movement mechanism 112, the firstdepth-direction movement mechanism 113, the holding unit movingmechanism 114, the holding unit 115, and the conveyor 118 cooperativelywork in response to the driving signals, holding control signals, andconvey control signals so that the object is moved to a predeterminedposition of the conveyor 118 and loaded on the conveyor 118.

In step S1420, after the object is loaded at the predetermined positionof the conveyor 118, the holding unit 115 releases the object inresponse to the holding control signal received from the controller 1203indicating the stoppage of suction.

In step S1421, the second vertical movement mechanism 116 and the seconddepth-direction movement mechanism 117 move the conveyor 118 to aposition where the object can be carried to the bench in response to adriving signal received from the controller 1203.

In step S1422, the conveyor 118 carries the object to the bench inresponse to a convey control signal received from the controller 1203.The cargo handling processing of the cargo handling apparatus 1200 iscompleted by the above operation.

If the loading box becomes empty during the cargo handling processingaccording to the present embodiment, another loading box in whichobjects are loaded is replaced with the empty box, and the sameprocessing may be repeated. The empty loading box may be replaced withthe next loading box manually or by using a means for pushing the emptybox out of the base and taking the next loading box into the base.

For example, for the case where the image sensor is not used, after apredetermined number of cargo handling processes are completed, theloading box is assumed to be empty, and a box driving unit (not shown inthe drawings) pushes the loading box out and takes the next loading boxin. For the case where the image sensor is used, the controllerdetermines whether an oblect remains in the loading box based on theimage data, and if the controller determines that there is no object,the box driving unit pushes the loading box out and takes the nextloading box in.

According to the second embodiment, objects are detected based on theimage data obtained by the image sensor, and the cargo handlingprocessing is not limited to predetermined objects or predeterminedarrangements, but can be applied to any arrangements of objects, thusimproving versatility of the cargo handling apparatus.

The aforementioned embodiments assume the case where the base standsupright in the vertical direction (Y axis direction), and the firstvertical movement mechanism 111 and the second vertical movementmechanism 116 move in the vertical direction. However, the secondembodiment may be applied to the case where the base is tilted due tothe shape of the base. In such a case, the first vertical movementmechanism 111 (first movement mechanism) and the second verticalmovement mechanism 116 (third movement mechanism) may move along thedirection of the tilt (first direction). The horizontal movementmechanism 112 and the first depth-direction movement mechanism 113(second movement mechanism) may move on the XZ plane crossing the firstdirection (first approximately horizontal plane). The seconddepth-direction movement mechanism 117 (fourth movement mechanism)connected to the third movement mechanism may move on the XZ plane(second approximately horizontal plane) facing the first approximatelyhorizontal plane). The first and second approximately horizontal planesare not limited to be exactly parallel to each other, but may beinclined toward the first direction or the vertical direction.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the holding unit 115 and the conveyor118 are moved upon the movement of each movement mechanism, but theholding unit 115 and the conveyor 118 may be movable independently fromthe movement mechanisms. For example, the cargo handling apparatus mayinclude the holding unit 115, which is attached to the end of an armmovable in the same range as the first and second movement mechanismsand in three axial directions, and the conveyor 118 movable in the samerange as the third and fourth movement mechanisms. Such a cargo handlingapparatus realizes downsizing of the apparatus while establishing thesame stability in carrying objects as the apparatus according to thefirst and second embodiments.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems describedherein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods andsystems described herein may be made without departing from the spiritof the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents areintended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within thescope and spirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cargo handling apparatus, comprising: a firstmovement mechanism that is movable in a first direction; a secondmovement mechanism that is connected to the first movement mechanism andis movable on a first horizontal plane intersecting the first direction;a holding unit that is connected to the second movement mechanism andholds an object to be picked up; a third movement mechanism that isarranged below the first movement mechanism, the second movementmechanism and the holding unit, and is movable in the first direction; afourth movement mechanism that is connected to the third movementmechanism and is movable on a second horizontal plane opposed to thefirst horizontal plane; and a conveyor that is connected to the fourthmovement mechanism, and loads and conveys the object, wherein theapparatus has a region to include a loading box for loading the object.2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an imagesensor that captures image data of the object; a detector that detectsan upper position and a lower position of the object from the imagedata; and a controller that drives the first movement mechanism and thesecond movement mechanism to allow the holding unit to move toward theupper position, and drives the third movement mechanism and the fourthmovement mechanism to allow the conveyor to move toward the lowerposition.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imagesensor obtains positional information including information regardingthe distance from the object, and the controller computes a firstdistance between the second movement mechanism and the upper positionand a second distance between the fourth movement mechanism and thelower position based on the positional information, drives the firstmovement mechanism and the second movement mechanism based on the firstdistance, and drives the third movement mechanism and the fourthmovement mechanism based on the second distance.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the first movement mechanism, the secondmovement mechanism, and the holding unit move so as to not strike theconveyor and the object when the conveyor conveys the object.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the object is loaded on anintermediate shelf, the third movement mechanism and the fourth movementmechanism move so that one end of the conveyor is placed at the lowerposition of the object, or that one end of the conveyor is positioned ata lower end of the intermediate shelf close to the conveyor.
 6. A cargohandling apparatus, comprising: a base that is a supporting body; aholding unit that is connected inside the base and is movable in a firstdirection, a second direction and a third direction, and holds anobject, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction,the third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the seconddirection; and a conveyor that is connected inside the base at a lowerposition than the holding unit and movable to the first and seconddirections, and conveys the object held by the holding unit, wherein theconveyor moves close to a lower portion of the object and loads theobject onto the conveyor by cooperating with the holding unit, and thebase has a region to include a loading box for loading the object.
 7. Acargo handling method for a cargo handling apparatus, comprising:obtaining image data of an object to be picked up; detecting a shape ofthe object from the image data, and detecting an upper position and alower position of the object; driving a holding unit to move toward theupper position, the holding unit holding the object; driving a conveyorto move toward the lower position, the conveyor loading and conveyingthe object; holding by the holding unit the object detected at the upperposition; loading the object onto the conveyor by cooperative workbetween the holding unit and the conveyor; moving the holding unit so asto not strike the object when the conveyor conveys the object; andmoving the conveyor close to a bench that is a destination of theobject, and conveys the object to the bench, the apparatus has a regionto include a loading box for loading the object.